 August 6th, 2010
04:30 PM ET
Topher Kohan loves two things: Search Engine Optimization and beer. The former, he heads up for CNN.com. The latter, he tests out at fests, breweries and bars – as well as his own home, where he brews up and bottles his own. Let’s have a drink with the man. American wheat ale, or American light wheat as it’s also known, is perfect for the hot summer months This all-American version of a German-style hefeweizen originating in the Pacific Northwest ranges from pale to golden in color and can be quite hazy if not filtered. It has a long-lasting head with a crisp and refreshing taste, and somewhere between a light to medium body. Unlike their German weizen counterparts, you will not find the telltale flavors and aromas of banana and clove because they are fermented with normal ale yeast. Still, there might still be some fruitiness in the aftertaste coming from ale fermentation. Its average alcohol by volume (ABV) range is 2.8-7.0 percent Topher's Top Tips for American Wheat Ales Bell's Oberon Ale from Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, Michigan Tip: This is a good summer beer style that won't fill you up and will refresh you on hot days. Drink it out of a glass if you can, because this style likes to breathe a little, and you’ll just get more of the flavor of the beer that way. Topher Tastes It
There you go, some good beer and some good info. Now it's your turn. Let me know what you thought. Have you had the beers I recommend? Did you agree with my take? Leave a comment below or hit me up on Twitter with your thoughts. As always, go out and try some new beers (in moderation) and remember that the best beer in the world is the beer you like to drink! |
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i tried viewing your blog through my mobile but the site layout was messed up.is your site not optimized for mobile or is my mobile the problem.i am using sony ericson xperia.
um, all American beer is lame; we simply do not know how to make a decent brew. Has to be Belgian, German, or Australian. This, from a 60 yr. old WOMAN who knows her beers.....sorry, Americans.....
Yazoo Brewing Company out of Nashville has an excellent hefeweizen you should try if you get the chance. It displays a good wheaty character with banana in the nose and on the palate....really good: http://www.thebeersnob.com/2009/08/11/beer-review-yazoo-hefeweizen/
These aren't wheat beers but my recent favorites are Belgian style ales: Two Brothers' Domaine Dupage and a small-batch brew from Goose Island called Matilda.
I used to be a homebrewer, but why bother anymore?
Well, how about the fact that a homebrewer who knows what he is doing can make far better beer than any megabrewer, far better than any regional brewer, and often, far better than most craft brewers. For example: My two signature wheat beers are "Steam of Wheat" which is a wheat beer made using the same yeast as Anchor Steam Beer. It is an incredible taste treat that is unlike any other beer I or the people who have tried it have ever enjoyed. I also make "Wheatheart of the Rodeo" An American-style Wheat beer that i brew to be crystal clear with no filtering. It looks like Bud or Coors, But it sure doesn't taste like megaswill. I use it to show the "I only drink bud light" crowd that beer with great flavor does not have to be scary. Sure, everyone has their own taste in beer, but as a Homebrewer, I revel in the fact that if I can drink it, I can make it.
Not to tell any of you that your taste in beer sux and mine is superior....But for me, I really enjoy the crisp kickback of an ice cold Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat. Brewed in KC, marketed regionally. Have met the owner of the company personally and had one helluva fun tour of the plant! When it was over, he gave me a metal Boulevard Brewery sign about 4' across X 2-1/2' tall. Displayed prominently in my rec room behind my bar. So I am just a tad biased from that experience–but truthfully, when I'm in the mood for a wheat ale....that is my preferred drink of choice! *CHEERS!*
Has nothing to do with topic other than being a great brew but keep your eyes out for Orange Blossom Pilsner. Is brewed in SC but sold out of Fl and is available throughout SE. Also won Bronze medal in GABF in honey beer category
Penn Brewery in Pittsburgh is back and better than ever. Original owner bought it back from the investment group that was running it into the ground. Penn Weizen is their best. United States Beer Tasting Championship: National Grand Champ from 2002-2007 In 2004, Penn Weizen was rated "Exceptional" and awarded one of only two Gold Medals at the World Beer Championship in the Hefe Weizen (Bavarian-style wheat beer) category, joining Germany's renowned Weihenstephan Brauerei. A lot of good beers out there, as others said it;s a persoanl taste thing.
Upland Wheat is great and quite refreshing. It's made by Upland Brewery in Bloomington,In.
I like a tall glass full of ice and fill it a quarter full with coors light. mmmmmmmmmmmmm
I like a lot of ice with a tiny bit of coors in it.
if you are ever in Austin, TX you should try the (512) Wit from the (512) Brewing Company and the Live Oak HefeWeizen from the Live Oak Brewing Company. Both are excellent beers and the only hefeweizen I like more than Live Oak is Franziskaner.
I, for one, really like the distinct flavors of the German wheat beers, and thus have been disappointed with their American cousins. Recently, though, I found Haystack Wheat, brewed by Left Hand Brewing Co. in Longmont, Colorado. It's the closest American equivalent to a good German hefeweizen that I've ever been able to find.
Gumballhead by 3 Floyd's, Munster, IN is also excellent...
These are my top three.
Schells Brewery in New Ulm, MN
Yeungling Brewery in Pottsville, PA
Leinenkugel in Chippewa Falls, WI
hot summer day = Zywiecz – wonderful polish beer
Brewed in Chambly, Quebec [near Montreal], ...Blanche de Chambly. This note from their website says it all: 'The first refermented white beer brewed according to Belgian tradition in North America.' It is a very fine ale.
Prost!
http://www.unibroue.com/en/unibroue/history/
If you're in the Finger Lakes region in upstate NY, you owe it to yourself to seek out and try a Rooster Fish Hefeweizen. I've tasted some, but not all, of the afore mentioned brews, and Rooster Fish surpasses most!
Cheers!
Honestly, you guys who keep posting that German hefs are inherently superior need to hold up a minute. I've tried many German hefs. Sorry, like some, love none. That weird sweet taste is gross. Don't the Europeans know how to get rid of that sugar? Don't assume we who like the American style make our choice in ignorance. In the PNW we've have had access to a vast selection of Euro beers for 30 years.
Who writes an article mentioning that something originates from a particular place, but the examples don't showcase that place? Bells, Sam and Terrapin are all good. But they don't come from the northwest. Why mention it, and then not bother to try a northwest beer? Deadline?
Belgian Trappist Ale...best beer ever brewed, they've been making it for 1,000 years and they got something right.
WIDMER BROTHERS HEFEWEIZEN!!!!!!!!!!!! Its's the best and the one that started it all.
I lived in Kzoo and Bell's is amazing! I also lived in Seattle and there are tons of local brews that are just as good. Port Townsend Brewery and Elysian to name a few :)
Odd that NONE of the beers you tasted are available in the Pacific Northwest or in BC. Rather than go to your supermarket and try some 6-packs that say Hef on them, perhaps you should get out more and try some up here.
Having lived in Germany for over six years, I had the pleasure of drinking some of the finest beers in the world – only the Belgians do better. I was turned on to wheat beers and drank mostly Maisel's hefeweizen. When we got back, Widmer's was the only hefeweizen avaiable. Although not as good as the German's it was a pleasant surprise to find something so tasty. Pyramid's (another NW beer) lacked flavor and was originally filtered (ugh), but they have greatly improved and quit filtering. I have tried the Deshutes beers and they are also very good. I would love to try some East Coast beers, but nothing is available out here. Too, bad. I can't vote for a favorite because there are just too many good ones out there.
By the way, we were in Heidelberg and our favorite brewpub was a place called Vetters. They made excellent beers and one that was 33% alcohol. Sorry, Sam Adams, but you were not the first to brew a "Super Beer" – as I call them...
Prost!
Robert, have to agree with you on Belgian Brew ... the lighter recipes, that is. I'm unfamiliar with anything they brew heavier, if they even craft such a thing. That said, as much as I like the conglomerate beers of Sam Adams, I'm certain that line doesn't hold a candle to many others. I know THAT much. The best beer doesn't come hundreds of miles away; and it's always in a container larger than a bottle.
If you drank a 33%abv beer, it was an ice beer. They freeze the water off to get it that high. Sam Adams actually ferments the Utopias to that level.
*to the level of about 21-25%abv
Widmer's is awesome, but North Coast's Blue Star Wheat is my favorite in this style. I can't forget Mustang Brewery's Washita Wheat from here in OK.
I give another resounding vote for Pyramid Haywire...also for three British Columbia standouts: Whistler, Granville Island and Okanagan Spring.
If you can find it the sierra nevada Kellerweis is mind blowingly good http://www.sierranevada.com/beers/kellerweis.html
I've got to agree with Will here. A small group of friends and I get together and did a little beer tasting on a hot summer day here in Georgia and the Kellerweis got high marks from everybody. I appreciate all the suggestions here...lots of new beers on my things to try list.
I agree.
Kellerweis is one of the best American interpretations of a German-style Hefeweizen. Sierra actually brews this beer in open fermenters, which is a traditional European way of fermenting wheat beers, and very unheard of in the US.
I will say when Mr. Kohan failed to mention K C Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat beer he missed the boat. It is the best hands down. After all it is brewed in the great of Missouri and it don't get no more Ameriican than that. God bless America!!
I live in Germany and think the writer has never drank German beer. . The ancient purity law of 1516 forbids adding flavors or any other ingredients than water, yeast and malz. I've never heard of banana or clove weizen beer.
It's in the yeast Fritz....
Not exactly in the yeast, but in the easters produced by the fermentation.
Sunny Guy
I meant "esters". These produce the various fruity tastes.
Sunny Guy
Reinheitsgebot is the purity law you're referring to and it's no longer a required law. Some brewers in Germany follow it as a badge of "honor" (marketing)...but it's no longer mandatory for brewers to follow.
And as Mick said, those flavors are "byproducts" of the yeast. Adding banana in the brewing process would probably taste like crap.
Fritz, try Paulaner HefeWeizen, Schneiderweisse, Franziskaner, Edelweiss (Austria), etc. They all have the distinctive banana and clove flavors from the yeast.
Also, the author was saying that you would taste those flavors in the German versions of the style, but not in the American beer.
Yeah and I've lived in Germany, Schweiz and other "beer places." There is no good American beer, "craft" or otherwise. The "craft" beers – full of orange and blackberries and spices and other junk which doesn't belong in beer – all taste like they had flavoring ADDED after the brewing process. Beer for people who don't like beer. Want excellent beer but can't afford a trip to Europe? Then just drive over the borders to Canada and Mexico. Don't drink this country's swill.
Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat
Saranac Beers made in Utica NY are truly an outstanding line and have something available for the discerning palate – take a peek at http://www.Saranac.com Saranac Pumpkin Ale in the Fall is one of my favorites
I hope Saranac beers have improved over the years. Tried Saranac Adirondack Lager in '92 at the Griffiss AFB O'Club for a buck a bottle. My friends and I all asked for our dollar back.
We took a trip to Oregon a couple weeks ago. My brother-in-law and I found a micro brewery in Ontario called Beer Valley Brewing. I'm not a beer geek like Jesse is but we got a nickle tour of the brewery by the owner and it was very interesting to see first hand how it is made. If you get a chance to tour one of these micro's it might be worth a couple hours on a hot afternoon.
Sorry, best Wheat beer around is EasyStreet Wheat brewed by Odell Brewing Company in Ft Collins, Colorado.
I'm from the Midwest, where Bells brewery reigns supreme (anyone who has had the Two Hearted Ale will agree). But I've never really been impressed by their Oberon. Maybe it's because I have Upland Wheat from Bloomington, IN readily available... it's a much better brew, perfectly balanced with a nice head, and delicious with or without an orange slice. Get it on tap if you can, but bottles suffice in a pinch. And if you are in Bloomington, go to the brewery for the Ard Ri, an Irish red they don't bottle that will knock your socks off.
So nice to have a message board that hasn't devolved into petty political bickering!!
Bell"s Oberon is my current beer of choice. Not as grainy or fruity as a lot of others mentioned, so it's an easy refreshing summer pour. Glad to see it get some love here....
The Terrapin Rye Ale is more of a IPA in style and taste. I do the like blackberry wheat beer put out by Sam Adams this year. If you really want a unique summer wheat, try (RJ Rockers out of Spartanburg SC)'s "Son of a Peach Wheat Ale". This is one they did this year and have been selling out of in bottles and kegs through local distributors as well as at Total Wine Locations. If you are liking something good for a hot summer day, this one is great. I too, was a little sceptical about a peach flavored beer, but served in an ice cold pint glass on a hot summer day, this crisp clean wheat beer finishes with a hint of peach that really impresses even the most unique beer pallettes. I am usually an IPA, stout, and home brewing fan, but this one really hits the spot.
I am from the midwest good beer country. About 40 years ago I was transferred to Pennsylvania because of my job. That was where I encountered Genessee Cream Ale – just called "Genny" by fans. It had a smooth taste – and when my work transferred me to the deep south, I couldn't get "Genny" anymore. I don't even know if it is still made. Great ale!
I know of only one amercan hefeweizen that's drinkable and that's Gordon Beirsch, on tap of course. The closest to German you can get. All others I think pale in comparison as I've tried them all I could get my hands on.
No beer found in a bottle on the store shelf compares to a good Bavarian hefe made at home. The flavors of fruit and clove are so intense its nothing like you've ever thought beer could be.
I did not see mention of Two Brothers Brewing in Chicago? My personal favorite its Weiss Ebel's, but what does an old lady know, right?
Wheat beer– the white chocolate of beers.
This makes absolutely zero sense. If you're trying to suggest that just because wheat is used it isn't "real" beer you need to do some more research. First off wheat is used alongside malted barley in the brewing process (in case your argument was "they use wheat, not barley!". Secondly wheat beer has been brewed on a large scale basis throughout Europe for hundreds of years.
New Belgium's Sunshine Wheat blows all of these beers away....hands down.
Want want gimme gimme.
you guys need to try Leffe a belgian beer, best wheat beer you'll ever drink
Leffe's alright...much prefer Grimbergen & LaTrappe when it comes to Belgians ;)
LaTrappe isn't bad, but I prefer Duvel (white label) when it comes to Belgian beer.
Try Trader Joe's hefeweissen wheat beer. It is quite good and very reasonably priced.
Brew your own. I made an american wheat I dry hopped in the keg with amarillo hops. Best damn wheat beer I've ever had.
Just make your own... it's more cost effective and it tastes better. Personally I like the Belgian Wit style better that a Heffe any day. With the wit you don't get the banana & clove tastes as much. I made 5 gallons of Belgian Wit with the zest of 3 grapefruit, 2 oranges, and a lemon along with coriander and chamomile that was outstanding. 5 gallons equates to about 2 cases, and it only cost $28.
Breckenridge Agave Wheat! Generally, I find American wheat beers boring, but Agave Wheat is awesome!
I know of only one amercan hefeweizen that's drinkable and that's Gordon Beirsch, on tap of course. The closest to German you can get. All others I think pale in comparison as I've tried them all I could get my hands on.
If you want a true American Hef, Widmer makes a good one.
Yuck !!!! Tried it, hated it....
Biersch is very, very good hef. On a slightly different subject, has anyone tried a Belgian Golden Ale called Lucifer? That is my all-time favorite beer. MMMM, it's good.
Abita Wheat is the best! It's made in LA, and can be found across the South East!
Try the Ale from the Conch Republic, Key West Sunset Ale, or Yuengling amber (oldest brewerey in the U.S.)
When you are poor like me, just open up a cold can of Natural Light and pour it a jelly glass after a hard days work and kiick back it don't get no better.
Thats awesome! Crappy beer but great honesty. cheers.
Some of those cheap beers are surprisingly good (particularly after a hard days work). Old Milwaukee...Rolling Rock...and lately Trader Joe's is selling something called "Simpler Times". All around ~$0.50 a can (yes...a can). Sure, there are better beers out there, but, as a little reward after a long day, it's cold and provides a moment or two of peace and some much earned muscle relaxation and the taste ain't half bad...and well, that's really a lot for $0.50 :)
In other news, Blue Star from Mendocino, CA turns out a mighty fine wheat ale. Definitely worth the craft brew price...
http://www.bluestarbrewing.com/
If it makes you happy, that's all that matters.
I brew my own beer, just started a little over a year ago, and yes once in awhile its a case of MGD or Blue Moon, just for the ahhhhhh beer factor.
I have been to germany, little town called Duderstadt, had several types of beer while I was there, all good stuff, a lot like most "craft beer" places here in the states.
I like to shake up cans of Bud Light, throw them up in the air, and shoot 'em with a shotgun!
I have been drinking Bells Oberon for about 5 years now.. its my favorite summer brew!!
(PS I am from MI so it is readily available at many local fine establishments on tap)
What strikes me as funny is that most folks in the U.S. that are beer snobs(I only drink imports), have never really tasted Europen beer, I'd kill for a real Engish Bass or a Pirminator(from Parkbrau, if you are interested)!
The days of beer snobs are over, since the Craft Beer Revolution of the 80's. If you don't realize that good, locally made beer is to be had just about everywhere, you're worse than a "I only drink French wine" oenophile.
That said, I wish stuff like the real English Bass was more widely available in the states.
Do you have any leads on where I can get some real English Bass here in the U.S.? Would gladly mini-vacation anywhere in the continental 48 to have some.
Drinking American Craft beers is a good way to buy American. The big grocery store beers, Budweiser, Coors, Miller are all foreign owned. There's more to beer than bland adjunct lagers that have dominated the US market. Apply the Michael Pollan
rule: if it is advertised on TV, avoid it. Sam Adams is an exception.
The Chicago columnist, Mike Royko, held beer tasting competitions back in the 70s, and I recall that the winning beer was Point Special, from Stevens Point, WI. The Buds and Millers would fare poorly, WHEN THEIR FANS DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DRINKING. Look it up. It's historical.
Once when I was up in central Wisconsin, I went into a tavern to purchase a case of Point Special to bring home. The locals at the bar were all drinking Bud, and laughed at me for buying Point Special. He who laughs last...
I used to be a homebrewer, but why bother anymore? The microbrewery revolution was most welcome here.
I'm a big fan of Sierra Nevada, Bells, Red Hook, etc.
Sunny Guy (in central Illinois)
Haven't looked for Bass but the Bier Stein (http://www.thebierstein.com/) in Eugene OR has over 1,000 types of bottled beer and 10 unique beers on tap. I have heard they try to be faithful to the original beer and if they have the Bass it would be the good stuff.
Check out Bottleworks, in Seattle. If they can't get it, you don't need it.
Or the Beer Trappe in Lexington Ky.
There is no good American beer, "craft" or otherwise. The "craft" beers - full of orange and blackberries and spices and other junk which doesn't belong in beer - all taste like they had flavoring ADDED after the brewing process. Beer for people who don't like beer. Want excellent beer but can't afford a trip to Europe? Then just drive over the borders to Canada and Mexico. Don't drink this country's crap.
Wow Kevin, you must live in a part of the US that doesn't have access to good microbrews. Here in Portland even the quicki mart (Plaid Pantry) on my corner probably has 20+ microbrew beers available. I have been an avid beer drinker for the last 20 years and love beers from all over the world. To say that the US doesn't make good beer is ridiculous. Take a trip to the NW and broaden your horizon. Buy a Michael Jackson beer book and do a little exploring. The diversity of beer here is phenomenal!
Seriously – you call out the PacNW as the launching point for this style, then stay east of the Mississippi for your recommendations? Cool, you live in Atlanta...there's more of the country if you look to the left side of the map. There's a reason there's a lot of great beers on the left coast. Get on a plane...I'll buy the first round.
There are a lot of great Hefeweizens that did not make the list. I personally love Harpoon's UFO.
I was disappointed with Sam Adams' Summer Ale. It may lose something in the Navy shipment to Japan or my tastebuds may be off, but I get a strong aftertaste of olives every time. At first I thought it was because I was drinking it with guacamole, but several samples have turned me off to the brew.
Try Sam' Coastal Wheat instead, if they have it there. I like it much better personally, it's not going to bloat you, and the flavor is quite good.
Where is Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat on this list. It is brewed in Kansas City and is awesome!
That beer is AWESOME! My favorite beer ever. I can't believe it's not sold everyhwere.
I can't agree more. Boulevard is amazing. When I lived in Phoenix I tried so hard to get a liquor store to carry it, but no one would do it.
Boulevard can not make a bad beer even if they tried. They have the best American style wheat beer that I've ever had, and a wheat beer is one of my favorite styles. The other is an oatmeal stout, but it's a little warm out for one of those.
Couldn't agree with you more Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat is my FAVORITE Missouri beer!!
the spiciness you noticed in the sam adam's summer ale is from a spice called grains of paradise
I actually like the fact that American wheat beers forgo the cloviness part...I know it's standard for the style, but I just don't like the flavor. Cheers on the Bell's Oberon, that's a delicious beer.
If the style originated in the Pacific NW, why go to the east to sample it?
Why is it that we ale drinkers like good head on our drink, but beer folks don't want any ?
Because good head protects the beer from oxidizing, which changes the flavour of the beer. (you can try this with two bottles from the same batch pour one with head, the other without and taste – the no head has a bit of a copper taste). Wanting no head means generally means you get more beer in the glass and so more quantity (regardless of quality). So really it goes down the the prime pleasure derived from drinking...
And on the point of getting good head, putting citrus in your Wheat beer is a sure way to kill the head. (not to mention change the flavour from what the beer maker intended).
If you want citrus, try an Ale that uses Cascade or Centennial hops. Some Ales put Centennial in their name. (Schlafly Centennial ESB)
OK...This style of beer originated in the Pacific Northwest. Yet you can't mention one NW brewer in the report. You need to get out of the office and come to Craft beer heaven, the Pacific Northwest.
Widmer is OK, but there are others such as
Rogue – "Mom Hefeweizen"
Pyramid – "Haywire"
There are many others come and find out for yourself.
Flying Dog's In Heat Wheat is missing too. Good wheat beer that mimics the german style.
Sierra Nevada Kellerweis is excellent, give it a try. Also try their Torpedo and Stout.
Dude, this. I prefer Pyramid over Widmer, easy, but for my money the best hefeweizen on the market is Leavenworth's Whistling Pig Hefeweizen. Good damn luck getting it outside the PNW (or outside the southern Puget Sound area, for that matter) but it is wheat-y citrus-y heaven in a bottle. Or off the tap, if you're REALLY lucky.
Really, anything out of the Fish Brewing Company http://www.fishbrewing.com/ is freaking awesome. Small-batch micro is where it's at.
Nuff said
Try Founders Breakfast Stout and Sierra Nevada Stout. Both superior in my opinion.
Everytime I was in the US would drink imported stuff because of my bad experiences with ale there. Least I know they make some decent stuff too.
We have some very good micro breweries. I'd recommend Oberon, and Sierra Nevada's Kellerwei Hefeweizen for wheat beers made in the states. Sierra Nevada's Stout is a fine every day stout. Founders Breakfast Stout is a favorite of mine.
Founders, Stone, Great Lakes, Schlafly, Bells, Sierra Nevada, and Three Floyds make fine beers. Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter is as good as it gets. Schlafly makes a fine ESB and American Pale Ale.
Bells Hopslam will satisfy your desire for heavy duty hops. Try their Two Hearted Ale too. Great Lakes Burning River Ale is another favorite of mine.
Because of the fire in Russia, wheat prices have shot up. Soon American wheat ale will increase in price.
Too bad they only grow wheat in Russia huh? *snicker*
Russia's wheat problems have already caused worldwide prices for wheat to rise. Try to pay attention for a change.
Widmer isn't bad, but the Bells is OUTSTANDING! Used to drink it at the brewery, can't get it in WY where I live now. Went from a seasonal for Bells to a year-round brew. On the darker, heavier side, try New Holland's Dragon Milk – best beer anywhere – and I've had them 'round the world. O'Dells Saboteur isn't bad either.
If you like the dark ones you might try Rogue – "Mocha Porter".
It's been my fav lately.
Another good Porter is from Deschutes. The "Black Butte Porter" is always available and is an award winner. They have others some only seasonal. Deschutes has several award winners.
A local Brew here (Eugene) is Ninkasi. Very flavorful beers I don't recall a Hef though.
If I can get my hands on it I'll give the Dragon Milk a try.
Deschutes – "Mirror Mirror" is a very good dark (Barley Wine) ale
Wiedmere Hefeweizen is probably the best american wheat ale so you probably shouldn't review it.
Its Widmer; it is good.
Like many American wheat beers, Widmer is vomit. So is Pyramid. I've spent a lot of time in Germany and have found places that sell German beers in the US, and very few American wheat beers or hefeweizens stack up favorably next to beers like Paulaner or Weihenstephaner hefeweizen. One of the best in the US comes from the Penn Brewery in Pittsburgh. Shiner hefeweizen is very close as well. But to speak of Widmer in such glowing terms shows a lack of understanding of what makes a good wheat beer. But then, this is America and we're all entitled to our opinions.
DMPI: The only thing that matters in beer is that the person drinking it enjoys it. Get the stick out of your backside, it's beer for god's sake!
Hey Dan, did you bother to read my entire post? Of course not. That little part about America and opinions at the end. Like everyone else, I stated my opinion. And you obviously didn't read any other posts very well, either. There are thousands of wheat beers and how many people here said Beer X is best there is? Figure it out, keg head.
Widmer Heffeweissen is the best wheat beer, in the German tradition, that I have ever tasted. It is far better on draught than in bottle, but it is superb.
I copied this Heffeweissen, all grain, and entered a beer contest with it. I got first place in the specialty round.
Agree that Widmer's is the best American wheat bear I have tried–and better than most I had in Germany.
Agreed, but, it's spelled Widmer. Go to http://www.widmer.com for a picture of a better type of glass to drink it from (imo). I also find it a little odd that the author mentions that American wheat ale originated in the Pacific Northwest, but didn't mention any of the PNW breweries. Widmer is in Portland, OR.
There is none finer than Widmer Brothers' Hefeweizen. On a hot summer day, a cold one slides down better than anything else on the planet. I suggest you try it.
You are overall clueless.
and you, dear Charlie, are overall a troll. please go back under whatever bridge you crawled out from. thank you.